Fleet Safety Training

Fleet safety training keeps a company’s fleet on the road doing its job and making the company money. Depending on its needs, a company can take advantage of several different types of training programs, including courses for drivers and managers as well as classes to stay compliant. Different types of organizations provide the various types of fleet safety training. Among them are insurance companies, transportation businesses, safety consulting firms and companies specializing in safety training.

For Drivers

Fleet driver safety training courses give drivers the education and skills they need to drive safely and effectively. These courses can save businesses money by increasing a driver’s productivity on the road and by reducing insurance costs and premiums. Topics they cover include aggressive and distracted driving, driving for fuel-efficiency, defensive driving skills and winter driving. Driver training covers different types of vehicles, including as 18-wheelers, buses and taxis.

For Managers

Fleet managers also need safety training to give them the tools to oversee the fleet and make sure the proper safety procedures and protocols are in place. Safety classes for fleet managers cover manager duties and responsibilities, accident investigations and fleet maintenance. Through training, managers also learn how to find and hire qualified drivers, provide company-specific training for drivers and evaluate how drivers are fulfilling their job duties. Some programs also offer insight and education on the best fleet management software and applications.

For Compliance

Companies that operate fleets must adhere to numerous regulations from all levels of government. Fleet safety training can help a company stay compliant with these rules. The U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, conducts random compliance reviews of fleets. Safety courses help ensure preparedness for these types of audits by explaining what the DOT looks for in an audit. Compliance programs cover vehicle maintenance, operations procedures, accident registers, service hours and drug and alcohol policies.

What's Involved

Fleet courses come in several forms, including traditional in-person classroom settings and online courses, videos and seminars. Some providers take the instruction to a company’s location. These programs may include a final exam at the end of training or shorter tests after each section. The costs involved vary depending on the provider, the format and how many employees are receiving training. Some online courses, such as those Nationwide Insurance offers, are free to companies.

About the Author

Lindsey Thompson began her writing career in 2001. Her work has been published in the Cincinnati Art Museum's "Member Magazine" and "The Ohio Journalist." You'll also find her work on websites like Airbnb, Chron.com, and USAToday.com. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.